2016 United States Vice Presidential Election Debate

LUMPENPROLETARIAT—The first, and only, 2016 U.S. Vice Presidential debate took place today. This was a much more polite affair than the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. But it was, nonetheless, another blight on our democratic process in the moderator’s inability, or refusal, to control the debate. We may wonder why stricter time limits aren’t enforced, complete with concise time limit reminders and backed up by cutting mic audio for egregious etiquette offenses. If a debater wishes to exceed the time limits and ignore moderator cues and warnings, then that debater’s mic should simply be cut with the moderator moving on to the next speaker. But, instead, the debate proceeded almost as if there had been no prior discussion of agreed upon rules of engagement, such as agreeing not to talk over one another, and so forth. It’s unacceptable that the most important debates in the nation are such disasters. We see more discipline, intellectual integrity, and maturity in children’s debates.

Even larger problems with the CPD‘s only 2016 Vice Presidential Debate involved the weakness of the debate questions and topics. And none of the topics were treated with any meaningful depth. But the largest problem of all is the antidemocratic exclusion of alternative political parties, such as the Green Party‘s vice presidential candidate Ajamu Baraka and the Libertarian Party‘s William Weld. Free speech radio broadcasters at the Pacifica Radio Network promised to ‘expand’ the debate by including a form of participation by alternative political parties. Listen (and/or download) here, for part one; and here, for part two. [1]

[Kaine says that Clinton-Kaine will never seek to privatise social security]

[Pence responds by saying that Trump will lower taxes, Hillary will raise taxes]

[(c. 24:22) Moderator shifts to race and policing. Do we expect too much from cops, not enough from other social services?]

[Kaine responds first: As mayor and governor, he’s learned that community policing is best, building “bonds” between police and community. But “overly aggressive, militarised” models polarise police and community. ‘Comprehensive mental health package’ and gun control reforms, such as close background record checks.]

[Pence waxes on his Chicago cop uncle, which he admired as a youth. Agrees with community policing. Trump and Pence will insure police have “resources” to insure “law and order”.]